Page 855 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Obituary: Travis C. Mazer, graduate student in molecular genetics and genomics, 25

Travis Conrad Mazer, a doctoral candidate studying molecular genetics and genomics, died unexpectedly Monday, April 24, 2017, in St. Louis. Mazer was 25. A Kalamazoo, Mich., native who was fascinated by science and politics, Mazer began working toward a PhD in August at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Humanities & Society

Smart decarceration can help shrink sprawling American prison system

New guideposts developed by Carrie Pettus-Davis of the Brown School suggest that smart decarceration may be the answer to reforming America’s prison system, reducing the number of inmates and enabling a more effective approach to public safety.

Arts & Culture

Student films go to Cannes

In “Grieve,” Sagar Brahmbhatt depicts bereavement as a kind of delayed reaction — a time bomb that never really stops exploding. Evan Gates’ “Floor is Lava?” is a slyly pointed examination of adult responsibility. Later this month, both films, created entirely by Washington University students, will be screened as part of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

Cao and Hsu share Spector Prize

Lily Cao and Jennifer Hsu share this year’s Spector Prize, awarded annually to a graduating senior in memory of Marion Smith Spector, a 1938 graduate who studied zoology under the late Viktor Hamburger.

Weight Watchers group meets weekly

A Weight Watchers at Work group has formed on the Danforth Campus. Meetings take place every Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. in Tietjens Hall.

Take part in Teaching Center institute May 24-25

The Teaching Center is again offering the program “Inclusion and Diversity to Engage All: Faculty Institute on Teaching,” or IDEA FIT. IDEA FIT will take place May 24-25 and bring faculty together in interactive workshops to work on inclusive teaching practices. Apply by May 11.

Who Knew WashU? 5.2.17

Question: Which important university landmark took place 65 years ago?

Science & Technology

New use for a pesky weed

Dandelions are much-maligned weeds, with a paratrooper-like seed dispersal system that makes them difficult to eradicate. However, new research from an engineer at Washington University in St. Louis finds a great benefit in an unlikely place for the pesky dandelion: each of its tiny seeds can be used as a perfect pipette in the laboratory setting.

Campus & Community

University receives major support for east end transformation

A prominent feature of the transformed east end of the Danforth Campus will bear the names of Washington University alumna and trustee Ann Rubenstein Tisch and her husband, Andrew. Longtime benefactors of the university, the couple is providing a lead gift in support of the project.

Pollak named American Economic Association Distinguished Fellow

The American Economic Association (AEA) elected Robert A. Pollak, the Hernreich Distinguished Professor of Economics at Olin Business School and in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, a 2017 Distinguished Fellow.